Sequentially operative item-releasing display apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a sequentially operative item-releasing display apparatus incorporating a coordinated series of moving elements which serve to effectively present a simulated path of movement for an item through the apparatus operating simultaneously with moving elements of an amusing nature and means producing an exciting sound, all for purposes of stimulating the imagination and amusing an individual, such as a child, viewing the device. Moreover, the device, at the end of its sequence of operation, releases a given item therefrom, thus creating the illusion that the item has followed the simulated path of movement through the device.

tates Patent Mueiier [4 1 Jan.25, W72

[54] SEQUENTIALLY OPERATIVE ITEM- ]RELEASING DISPLAY APPARATUS [72)inventor:

[52] US. Cl ..22l/3 [51] Int. Cl. t ..A63h 29/22 [58] Field ofSearch....22l/3,8,295,24; 194/28,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,876,424 9/1932 Kenyon221/3 Pulver ..221/3 X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. TollbergAttorney-Jacobi, Davidson and Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT There is disclosed asequentially operative item-releasing display apparatus incorporating acoordinated series of moving elements which serve to effectively presenta simulated path of movement for an item through the apparatus operatingsimultaneously with moving elements of an amusing nature and meansproducing an exciting sound, all for purposes of stimulating theimagination and amusing an individual, such as a child, viewing thedevice. Moreover, the device, at the end of its sequence of operation,releases a given item therefrom, thus creating the illusion that theitem has followed the simulated path of movement through the device.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JANZSIHYZ 3,637 107 sum HP 2 80ATTURNEYS PATENTED JAMES I872 SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR CHARLES MUELLER BY x-ye FIG. 8

ATTORNEYS SlEQUENTIALLY OPERATIVE ITEM-RELEASING DISPLAY APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to displayequipment, and is particularly concerned with the provision of a displayapparatus incorporating a coordinated series of mechanical movements,light simulations, and sound effects that both attract and amuse anindividual watching the device. Moreover, the invention is concernedwith such a display unit which further serves to selectively dispenseindividual items therefrom at the termination of its coordinatedsequentially operative program.

Various different types of display apparatus have previously beensuggested. With each one, it has been generally recognized that the mainpurpose to be served thereby is the attraction of an individualattention. Some forms of display devices are static in nature andattempt to attract the individuals at tention by an imaginative andcolorful presentation. Other forms of display equipment utilize soundfor purposes of attracting the individuals attention, while still otherforms of display devices utilize some type of dynamic light operation toattract the user's attention. Even further, mechanical movements of onesort or another are often incorporated in display equipment to achievean attention attracting result. Commonly, a colorful static presentationis coupled with a particular mechanical movement in a given displaypresentation, and for many years, the attention attracting ability of ablinking light" has been recognized. Notwithstanding the variousdifferent prior approaches which have been utilized, and/or suggestedfor utilization, in display equipment, there is a constant need,particularly in the domestic economy, for display devices that possess aunique attention attracting capacity, and one of the primary objects ofthe present invention is to satisfy this need. More particularly, aprimary object hereof is to provide a unique display device whichimaginatively integrates the effects of mechanical movement, dynamiclighting, and stimulating sound so as to create an amusing and enjoyabledisplay machine.

Even further, an important and significant object of the presentinvention is to provide an apparatus conforming with the precedingobjects and which is additionally so operative as to selectively andindividually dispense a given item at the end of a programmed sequenceof activities. In this regard, a somewhat more detailed, but stillimportant, object of the present invention is to provide such a devicewherein different portions of the dynamic lighting are sequentiallyactivated for purposes of designating in the mind of the viewer anactual path of an item through the device, and wherein the itemreleasingmechanism of the device is actuatable to release an item as if the samehad traveled the path of movement designated by the dynamic lighting.

Again looking to the broader aspects of the invention, it should benoted that the invention contemplates taking full advantage of theattention attracting ability of complex mechanical movements withoutcomplicating the operating mechanism for the device itself. To this end,a further significant object of the present invention is to provide adisplay apparatus which utilizes rotary movement, reciprocating movementand serpentine movement in a simultaneous but coordinated pattern toachieve the given presentation. More specifically, a detailed object ofthe invention is to provide a display apparatus wherein certain movingcomponents are rotated, wherein certain moving components arereciprocated, and wherein simultaneously simulated serpentine movementis achieved through the incorporation of sequentially operative lightingmeans. Moreover, this specific object of the invention further envisionsthe coordination with the movement of sound effects giving an overallvisual and audio environment ofa particularly exciting nature.

While the preceding discussion generally emphasizes some of the morebasic aspects and objects of the instant invention, further specificobjects hereof which should not be overlooked include the following:

a. the provision of a display device or apparatus conforming with thepreceding objects wherein at least one of the reciprocating movementmechanisms serves to move an attractive display element from a hidden toan exposed position and vice versa;

b. to provide such a display device wherein at least one of thereciprocating movement mechanisms not only creates an attention gettingmovement, but additionally serves to integrate therewith the productionof sound, as for example, through the movement of a clapper" against abell;

c. to provide such a display device wherein reciprocating movement iseasily achieved through the use of cams and cam followers and/oreccentric linkages;

d. to provide such a display apparatus wherein a given sequentiallyoperative presentation is initiated through use of a single switch;

e. to provide such a display apparatus wherein a plurality of items tobe dispensed can be stored therewithin but individually releasedtherefrom at the end of a given sequential presentation;

to provide such an apparatus wherein a substantial part of the audiopresentation is reproduced through a speaker means operativelyassociated with a magnetic soundtrack and pickup head arrangement;

g. to provide such a display device which can be continu ously andefficiently operated and constructed from generally well known types ofcomponents and materials so as to be reproducible for widespread use.

The preferred embodiment of the invention incorporates a plurality ofdrive mechanisms for operating reciprocating and rotating elements,sequentially operative lighting means for designating a simulated pathof movement of an object through the device, audio reproducing means forcreating a stimulating sound environment during the operation,itemreleasing means, and control means for coordinating the drivingmechanisms, lighting means, sound producing means and item-releasingmeans so that an effective presentation is made in sequential orderultimately resulting in the release of an individual item. The inventionwill be better understood, and objects other than those set forth abovewill become apparent, when consideration is given to the followingdetailed description. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawings presenting a preferred and illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a display device constructedin accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view, partially in section, taken on the line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the reciprocating mechanismspreferably utilized in the device, FIG. 3 showing in some detail theoperative nature of the arrangement shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed fragmental view of a storage chute anditem-releasing mechanism incorporated in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental detailed view of the item-releasing mechanismshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmental detailed view showing the disposition of lightingmeans incorporated in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a detailed, partially schematic view, showing the preferredoperative disposition of lighting means such as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7designating the location of same as seen from the exterior of theapparatus; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical system suitable foruse in an apparatus constructed in accordance herewith.

If reference is now made to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the displaydevice 2 shown therein includes a housing means 4 having a generallyvertically disposed front face 6 and a generally horizontally disposedtop face 8. As explained hereinafter, the display device 2 has locatedtherein channel means which open onto the front face 6 through anopening 10 in the lower portion thereof. Actuatable dispensing means, asalso explained below, are utilized in the channel means for releasingindividual objects therefrom so that the same pass through the opening10 and into the release container or receptacle means 12. A plurality ofwheel means, such as the simulated gears 14 and 16, are mounted forrotation adjacent and in front of the front face 6. A plurality ofreciprocating means, such as the characters or decorative figures l8 and20 and clapper 22 are mounted for reciprocation above the top face 8.Selectively operable means, including lighting means associated with theserpentine path 24 serve to indicate a path of movement of an objectover the front face 6. Audio means, also discussed in more detail below,serve to produce an audible sound sequence, and control means areprovided for rotating the wheel means, reciprocating the reciprocatingmeans, powering the audio means, and operating the lighting meansassociated with the serpentine path, all over a determined period oftime, and then actuating the means to release an object through theopening 10 in the front face 6.

Considering now the details of the rotating means and the reciprocatingmeans, attention is directed to FIGS. 2 and 3. By reference to FIG. 2,it will be noted that the wheel means 14 is mounted on a shaft 30journaled for rotation between the front face 6 of the housing means 2and the rear face 6' thereof. The shaft 30 as shown in FIG. 3, furthercarries thereon a double ear cam 32. The cam 32 is located inside of butadjacent the front wall 6 of the housing, and the respectivelyoppositely disposed extending ears thereof cooperate with a microswitch34 (FIG. 3) mounted on and adjacent the top face 8 of the housing means2. The microswitch 34, effects a stepping function particularlyassociated with the means for creating a simulated path of movement ofan object through the device. This will become apparent, however, inrelation to the description of FIG. 8.

Reverting again to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is to be noted that the shaft 30further carries a sprocket 36 thereon about which is trained a chain 38.The chain 38 serves to drive the shaft 30 from a sprocket 40 mounted ona shaft 42. The shaft 42 is journaled between a pair of fixedly mountedbearing elements 44 and 46 and carries an additional sprocket 48 thereonabout which is trained a chain 50 leading from a sprocket 52 carried onthe outer end of the shaft 54 of a drive motor 56. Specifically, withoperation of the motor 56, the shaft 54 is rotated to in turn rotate thesprocket 52. This drives the chain 50 which in turns drives the sprocket48 and shaft 42. Shaft 42 thus rotates sprocket 40 driving chain 38 andchain 38 drives sprocket 36 so as to rotate shaft 30 thereby rotatingthe exposed wheel 14 and the internal double ear cam 32 to operate themicroswitch 34. We thus have movement of one of the wheel meansmentioned above and significantly, for purposes explained below, we haveselective operation of the microswitch 34.

To obtain reciprocating movement of the character 18 shown in FIG. 1,the shaft 42 further has a cam element 58 cccentrically mounted thereon.This cam element is cooperatively associated with a cam follower 60which, as shown in FIG. 3, is rotatably mounted at the lower end of ashaft 62. The shaft 62 extends vertically upward from the cam follower60 and through a guide bearing 64 and an opening in the top face of thehousing means 2 so as to support the character 18 above such top face.With rotation of the shaft 42, there is corresponding rotation of thecam element 58, and by virtue of the eccentric mount of such camelement, the cam follower 60, under the force of gravity, moves up anddown, thereby imparting an up and down movement to the character 18.This up and down movement is illustratively designated by the respectivesolid line and dotted line positions of the character 18 in FIG. 1.

Further reciprocating movement is achieved with the character 20 fromthe same motor 56. To this end, it will be first noted from FIG. 3 thatthe upper face 8 of the housing means 2 includes a door 66 thereinmounted for free pivotal movement between the solid line and dotted lineposition there shown by means of a conventional high 68. Disposedimmediately below the door 66 is the character 20 which preferably takesthe form of an attractive puppet 70. This puppet 70 is mounted at theupper end of a shaft 72 mounted for reciprocating movement by a fixedbearing means 74. The lower end of the shaft 72 is pivotally coupled asat 76 to a further rod 78 that is eccentrically mounted by means ofpivot 80 to a cam or crank element or wheel 82. The cam element or wheel82 is mounted on a shaft 84 journaled in a pair of fixed supportbearings 86 and 88. A sprocket 90 is fixed on the shaft 84 and hastrained thereabout a chain 92 which leads to a drive sprocket 94 alsocarried on the shaft 54 of motor 56. Thus, as the motor 56 drives theshaft 54, the sprocket 94 serves to drive the chain 92 and in turn, thesprocket 90. The sprocket 90 drives the shaft 84 and in turn the camwheel 82. Rotation of the cam wheel 82 imparts through the rod 78 areciprocating motion to the shaft 72 and this in turn causes the puppet70 to press upwardly through the door 66 to an exposed position.Continued rotation of the cam wheel results in the puppet moving backdownwardly to its solid line position shown in FIG. 3, where it ishidden from view. In other words, the movement of the puppet is from aposition hidden from view to an exposed position and then back.

It should be apparent that the rotating action of the wheel 14, thereciprocating action of the character 18 and the reciprocating action ofthe puppet 70 are all achieved through operation of the motor 56 andassociated drive mechanisms which are essentially of the simple camtype.

Again referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that an additionalreciprocating means 22 and an additional wheel 16 are provided. Thisadditional reciprocating means and additional wheel is driven by asecond motor coordinated with that described above. More specifically,by referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that projecting upwardly fromthe top face 8 of the housing means 2 and preferably rigidly securedthereto is a shaft or rod 96 which preferably carries a bell head 98 atthe upper end thereof. The reciprocating means 22 includes a clapperhead 100 carried on a shaft 102. The shaft 102 is pivotally secured asat 104 to a cam or crank wheel 106 mounted on a shaft 108. The shaft 108is mounted between a pair of bearing brackets 110 and 112. Moreover,shaft 108 has a sprocket 109 thereon which has trained thereabout achain 1 1 l which leads from a drive sprocket 1 14 carried on the shaft1 16 of a further motor 118. Accordingly, with operation of the motor118, the shaft 116 is rotated thereby driving the sprocket 114 and inturn the chain 111 to drive the sprocket 109 which rotates the shaft 108and in turn the cam wheel 106 to impart a reciprocating movement, in thelateral direction, to the shaft 102. This reciprocating lateral movementof the shaft 102 causes the clapper head 100 to selectively move intoand out of engagement with the bell head 98 thereby causing a bellringing operation.

The motor 118 further carries on the shaft 116 thereof a sprocket 120which has trained thereabout a drive chain 122 leading to a drivesprocket 124 carried on a shaft 126. The shaft 126 is journaled forrotation in essentially the same manner as the shaft 30 so that thewheel 16 on the forward outer end thereof is disposed for rotationadjacent and in front of the front face 6 of the housing means 2.

The respective bearing brackets, guide bearings, and the like, are allmounted within the housing 2 by conventional means and accordinglyfurther detailed discussion thereof appears unnecessary. It suffices tosay that the mounting is such as to have the disposition of therespective elements in the operative associations shown in FIGS. 2 and 3whereby two conventional motors such as the motors 56 and l 18 can serveto drive in operating sequence the multiplicity of rotating andreciprocating elements yielding the ultimate imaginative and creativecomplex motion generally associated with the upper portion of the deviceas shown in FIG. 1. These mechanical movements and the cooperation ofelements yielding such mechanical movements are of particularsignificance, but in and of themselves do not create the overall uniquepresenta tion which can be accomplished in accordance with the preferredembodiment of the invention. To the contrary, the simulated path ofmovement as achieved by the lighting means, the environmental sound ascreated by the audio means, and the selective item release alsocontribute to the overall performance, and thus these other aspects willnow be considered in detail.

The serpentine path 24 shown in FIG. 1 comprises part of a selectivelyoperable means for indicating a path of movement of an object over thefront face 6. The serpentine path 24 itself as explained in particularconnection with FIGS. 6 and 7 actually designates the path behind whichis disposed a plurality of lamp means spaced from each other within thehousing. These lamp means 140 and 140, as shown in FIG. 6, each includea conventional small lamp 142 disposed in a conventional socket 144having a pair of leads 146 and 148 leading therefrom. The respectiveleads 146 are preferably grounded as indicated, whereas the respectiveleads 148 are connected to an electrical system as described inparticular relation to FIG. 0. It suffices to say for the present momentthat there are a plurality of such light means mounted in spaced-apartrelation relative to one another within the housing means 2 by anyconventional technique. Disposed between the light means and the frontface 6 or panel forming the front face 6 is a further panel 150 (FIG. 7)having a plurality of openings 152, 152a, etc., therein. These openingsare preferably aligned with the respective lamp bulbs 142 so that theopenings 152, 152a, etc., provide window means for each of the lampmeans. Moreover, a sheet of translucent material such as the sheet 156is preferably disposed between the panel forming the front face 6 andthe panel 150 so that the lamp bulbs are normally hidden from view, butwhen illuminated, project their light through the aligned openings 152,152a, etc., and in turn through the translucent sheet 156. Obviously,for this light to show to an individual viewing the device, theserpentine path 24 (FIG. I) must either have openings itself therein orbe a serpentine opening in the front face 6. Consistent with thepreferred embodiment, the serpentine path 24 actually is defined by acutout in the front face 6 which cutout has the translucent sheet 156therebehind so as to close the front face and yet provide a means forthe transmission of light through the serpentine path.

With the arrangement just described, a plurality of lamp means aredisposed in spaced-apart relation within the housing means 2 and along aserpentine path. Window means associated therewith are provided by thepanel 150 and translucent sheet 156 which overlies the panel 150 inrelation to the lamp means, but which also underlies the panel formingthe front face 6 so that the serpentine opening therein exposes thetranslucent sheet. The particular bracket or the like used for mountingeach lamp means forms no part of the instant invention, and it sufficesto understand that the lamp means are individually disposed in spacedrelation to one another and along a predetermined path which, in thisinstance, is the serpentine path 24. With such an arrangement, if thelamp means 140, I40, etc., are operated in sequence from the lamp meansdisposed at the upper left of the serpentine path to the lamp meansdisposed at the base of the serpentine path near the outlet opening 10(FIG. ll) of the device, then there will be a light spot typetransmission through the translucent sheet 156 in stepped sequence, thussimulating the movement of an item through the apparatus over apredetermined path.

If attention is again directed to FIG. 3, it will be seen that there isshown in this figure a channel or chute means 180. This channel or chutemeans 180 has its upper end 182 so located that it can be reachedthrough an opening of the device (not shown) either in the rear thereofor in the front thereof. Thus, particular items to be dispensed by theapparatus can be placed in the chute means 380.

The chute means 180 itself is probably best shown in FIG. 4. It includesan upper generally vertically disposed section 184 and a lower slopingbut more horizontally disposed section 186. Items placed in the topopening 182 thus descend through the vertical section 184 of the chutemeans to the downwardly sloping lower section 186 thereof. Operativelyassociated with the lower section 186 is an item dispensing mechanism190. This item-dispensing mechanism and the operation thereof can bebetter understood by reference to FIG. 5. Here, the lower downwardlysloping section 186 of the chute is shown as having an opening 188 inthe top wall thereof. Mounted for pivotal movement in this opening is aU- shaped arm 190' movable between the solid line position there shownand the dotted line position there shown. In normal operation, a coilspring 192 with an extending finger 194 maintain the front depending arm191 of the U-shaped release member 190 in a downward position. Thisresults in having the opposed or rear depending arm 1.93 in the upperposition. Therefore, an item to be dispensed such as the item 200 isfree to move against the forward depending arm 19]. However, only oneitem at a time will move within the limits defined by the U-shapedrelease member 190 by virtue of the relative size of that member and thesize of the items to be dispensed.

When it is desired to dispense an item, a solenoid 202 is activated,through the electrical leads 204 extending therefrom. This causes theplunger arm 206 of the solenoid to move upwardly, thereby lifting theforward end of the U-shaped release member 1190' by virtue of theconnection between the plunger arm 206 and the U-shaped member through apivot bracket 208. Upward movement of the forward portion of theU-shaped member 190 results in downward movement of the rear portion ordepending rear arm I93 thereof and this arm serves as a stop for theitem which is immediately behind the item to be released. In otherwords, when the solenoid is operated, the rear arm 193 of the U-shapedrelease member 190 descends into blocking position within the chuteportion 186, and simultaneously the forward stop arm 191 of the U-shaped release member 190 moves upwardly to thereby release the itempreviously disposed between the respective arms. The member so releasedthen passes from the release member 190 downwardly in the chute portion186 to and through the opening 10 (FIG. 1) in the front face 6 of thedevice and into the item-release container 12.

When the solenoid is no longer energized, the spring 192, acting throughits projecting finger 194, serves to return the U-shaped release member190 to its original position, thus permitting the next item to bereleased to pass under the rear depending arm 193 of the release memberand into engagement with the front depending arm 191 thereof for arepeat of the operation just described. It should therefore beunderstood that the chute means 180 can be loaded with items to bedispensed and yet, these will be selectively released on an individualbasis which, as explained more fully below, occurs at the end of aperformance cycle of the display device.

Based on the preceding detailed description of the rotating means, thereciprocating means, the coordinated lamp and window means, and theitem-dispensing means, the basic operating mechanisms of the presentinvention should be understandable to those of ordinary skill in theart. The only other environment producing operating device not yetdescribed in detail is the audio reproducing means generally designatedby the numeral 300 in FIGS. 2 and 3. This audio reproducing means cantake any suitable form which will repeatedly reproduce an audio sequencein audible form in response to activation thereof and over apredetermined period of time. It has been found that a conventionalarrangement having a magnetic tape wheel on which is recorded the soundsequence and a pickup head for reading the sound sequence, operatesparticularly well in. the instant device when associated in conventionalmanner with a suitable transducer, such as a conventional speaker. Theaudio reproducing means thus appears to need little detail descriptionexcept to understand that it is an integral part of the preferredembodiment constructed in accordance herewith and except to understandthe manner in which it is sequentially operated.

With respect to sequential operation, particular attention is directedto the control means schematically shown by the electrical diagram ofFIG. 8. This control means as shown in FIG. 8 is the specific controlcenter to effect the preprogram sequence. In a broad sense consistentwith the invention, the various drive mechanisms already describedconstitute in association with the electrical circuit to be describedbelow, a control means for rotating the wheel means, reciprocating thereciprocating means, powering the audio means, and operating theselectively operable simulated path movement means for a predeterminedperiod of time and then actuating the release means to dispense anobject.

However, for purposes of understanding the operation of the invention,the arrangement of FIG. 8 is also referred to as a control means butsignificantly as the central control means rather than the overallcontrol means.

The central control means generally designated by the numeral 400 inFIG. 8 incorporates a stepping switching means 402, a control circuit404 and the microswitch 34 to which reference was previously made.Furthermore, it incorporates a pushbutton switch 406. The pushbuttonswitch is of conventional design as is the control circuit 404. When thepushbutton 406 is depressed, it serves to place the motors 56 and 118and the audio reproducing means 300 in operative condition. To this end,it will be noted that the line 502 is connected by means of a line 504with the audio reproducing means 300, the motor 118 and the motor 56.The other terminal ofeach of these devices is connected via line 506 tothe control device 404. Upon depression of the pushbutton 406, the line506 is connected with the other side of the input line, namely, the linedesignated 502. ln essence, therefore, the audio reproducing means 300,motor 118, and motor 56, are energized. These continue to run or operateuntil the control circuit 404 shuts off the connection initiallyestablished by the pushbutton 406.

Leading to the control circuit 404 are lines 510 from the microswitch34. As the microswitch is operated in the manner explained by the doubleear cam 32, it effectively causes the control circuit 404 to step thestepping switch 402 one position. Thus, if the arm of the steppingswitch (not shown) was originally in operative disposition forconnection with the connection designated by point x-n, such steppingswitch would move to position x-l. With the successive operation of themicroswitch 34, such stepping switch would move to the positiondesignated x-2. This movement of the stepping switch serves to establisha circuit to and through successive lamp means 140 so that the same areenergized. During this entire time, the motors 56 and 118 remain inoperation and the audio reproducing means 300 remains in operation. Asthe stepping switch energizes lamp after lamp after lamp, such steppingswitch ultimately reaches its final step position, namely, x-n, and atthis time a connection is established not only through the last lampmeans in the sequence, if desired, but also through the solenoid 202 soas to raise the arm 206 thereof to position the release member 190 forrelease of an item. Accordingly, it will readily be understood that bymeans of a conventional stepping switch, only shown illustratively inFIG. 8, the lamps are sequentially operated in sequence ultimatelyresulting in operation of the item-release mechanism to dispense anitem. When the stepping switch has reached the last position x-n, thenthe whole circuit is shut off. This means that the connection originallyestablished by the circuit 404 across the line for the audio reproducingmeans 300 in the motors 56 and 118 is broken. Essentially, withconventional techniques, the pushbutton 406 serves to operate thecontrol circuit 404 so as to step the stepping switch from a positionx-n to the first position in the sequence, namely, x-l. If the steppingswitch includes a conventional continuous contact path, such as thatdesignated by y, in addition to its selectively spaced connectionterminals, x-l, x-2, etc., then the motors and audio reproducing meanshave their circuits established through the continuous conducting pathwhereas the lamp means referred to above have their circuits selectivelyestablished through the respective contact points, and the releasemechanism has its circuit established through the last of the contactpoints. The control circuit 404 is thus little more than a suitablerelay to effect the wiring and suitable commutation means, both of anywell-known type, which operate in the manner just described.

It should therefore be apparent that upon depressing the pushbutton 406which is preferably mounted on the front face 6 of the device, as shownin FIG. 6, the respective motors 56 and 118 are set into operation forpurposes of causing rotation of the wheel means 14 and 16, for purposesof causing reciprocation of the reciprocating elements 18, 20 and 22,for purposes of starting the audio sequence reproduced by the audiomeans 300, and for starting sequential illumination of the lamps 140,etc., to designate a path of movement across the device. As the sequencecontinues, the systems remain in operation in the manner described untilthe central control system stepping switch reaches its last sequentialposition, whereupon the various electrically driven mechanisms areessentially shut off, with the solenoid 202 being activated at the lastposition to release a given item.

Having now described the invention in considerable detail, it isbelieved that those with basic mechanical knowledge, much less ofordinary skill in the art, will readily understand that the objects setforth at the outset of the present specification have been successfullyachieved. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

1. A display device comprising in combination:

a. housing means having a generally vertically disposed front face and agenerally horizontally disposed top face;

b. channel means disposed within said housing means and opening on saidfront face thereof;

c. actuatable dispensing means in said channel means for releasingindividual objects therefrom upon actuation thereof;

a plurality of wheel means mounted for rotation adjacent and in front ofsaid front face;

e. a plurality of reciprocating means mounted for reciprocation abovesaid top face;

selectively operable means for indicating a path of movement of anobject over said front face;

audio means for producing an audible sound sequence; and

h. control means for rotating said wheel means, reciprocating saidreciprocating means, powering said audio means, and operating saidselectively operable means for a predetermined period of time and thenactuating said actuatable means to release an object from said housingmeans.

2. A display device as defined in claim 1 further including means forstarting said control means, and wherein said control means is operableupon starting for a single cycle of operation.

3. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said selectivelyoperable means for indicating a path of movement of an object over saidfront face comprises window means extending along said path and aplurality of lamp means disposed in spaced relation to one anotherwithin said housing means and behind said window means.

4. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotating meanscomprise simulated gear means.

5. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said reciprocatingmeans include decorative figures.

6. A display device as defined in claim 1 further including bell meansmounted above said top face, and wherein said reciprocating meansincludes a reciprocating clapper disposed to cooperate with said bellmeans to effect ringing thereof.

7. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said path of movementhas a serpentine configuration, wherein said selectively operable meansfor indicating a path of movement comprises sequentially operable spacedlamp means disposed within said housing along said path, and whereinsaid housing means includes window means along said path.

means further includes a switching device and cam means rotatable withone of said rotatable means, said cam means cooperating with saidswitching device to activate the same, said switching device beingconnected to said stepping relay switching means to cause the same tostep and thereby operate said lamps.

1. A display device comprising in combination: a. housing means having agenerally vertically disposed front face and a generally horizontallydisposed top face; b. channel means disposed within said housing meansand opening on said front face thereof; c. actuatable dispensing meansin said channel means for releasing individual objects therefrom uponactuation thereof; d. a plurality of wheel means mounted for rotationadjacent and in front of said front face; e. a plurality ofreciprocating means mounted for reciprocation above said top face; f.selectively operable means for indicating a path of movement of anobject over said front face; g. audio means for producing an audiblesound sequence; and h. control means for rotating said wheel means,reciprocating said reciprocating means, powering said audio means, andoperating said selectively operable means for a predetermined period oftime and then actuating said actuatable means to release an object fromsaid housing means.
 2. A display device as defined in claim 1 furtherincluding means for starting said control means, and wherein saidcontrol means is operable upon starting for a single cycle of operation.3. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said selectivelyoperable means for indicating a path of movement of an object over saidfront face comprises window means extending along said path and aplurality of lamp means disposed in spaced relation to one anotherwithin said housing means and behind said window means.
 4. A displaydevice as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprisesimulated gear means.
 5. A display device as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid reciprocating means include decorative figures.
 6. A display deviceas defined in claim 1 further including bell means mounted above saidtop face, and wherein said reciprocating means includes a reciprocatingclapper disposed to cooperate with said bell means to effect ringingthereof.
 7. A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said path ofmovement has a serpentine configuration, wherein said selectivelyoperable means for indicating a path of movement comprises sequentiallyoperable spaced lamp means disposed within said housing along said path,and wherein said housing means includes window means along said path. 8.A display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said reciprocating meansare operated by cam means.
 9. A display device as defined in claim 1wherein said control means comprises stepping relay switching means,wherein said selectively operable means for indicating movementcomprises a plurality of lamps connected to said switching means forsequential operation thereby, and wherein said control means furtherincludes a switching device and cam means rotatable with one of saidrotatable means, said cam means cooperating with said switching deviceto activate the same, said switching device being connected to saidstepping relay switching means to cause the same to step and therebyoperate said lamps.